Voter Approval Key to Operating One Jail
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Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Vol. 109, No. 159 Inside Sports: Playoff results Entire contents copyrighted 2010 www.durantdemocrat.com SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010 See Sports, page 1C Durant Daily Democrat$1.00 Voter approval key to operating one jail Officials wanting to lock down plan for expanded jail BY MATT SWEARENGIN jails, the main jail at the sixth percent had been ear- District No. 1 County for jail operations, then he made to how the sales tax MANAGING EDITOR courthouse, and the auxil- marked to pay off a $1.645 Commissioner Monty will agree to the sales tax is spent. iary jail on South Fifth million loan taken out in Montgomery said that one- used to operate the jail now The county has already DURANT — County Avenue across the street 2002 that was used to sixth of the county’s sales be reallocated for the pur- obtained architectural officials are wanting to from the Durant Police remodel the jail at that tax presently generates pose of remodeling and plans for the remodel and expand one jail and close Department. time. That loan was paid about $13,000 per month. adding on to the Bryan expansion. Under the pro- another, a plan they say Under the quarter-cent off in February, so the “The sheriff has agreed County Jail,” Montgomery posal, the jail would be will require voter approval, sales tax approved by vot- money is now going into that if the county commis- said. expanded into where the but won’t cost the taxpay- ers in 2007, one-sixth of the county’s general fund, sioners appropriate Although Sheriff Bill sheriff’s office is presently ers any additional money. the tax is allocated for jail and could be used to fund $150,000 annually from Sturch agrees, the voters The county operates two operations. Another one- jail operations. the general-funds budget must approve any changes See JAIL, page 7A OFN supports Relay for Life marches onward parents of children with special needs BY CANDICE BUDGICK STAFF WRITER Stephanie Defalco is a Durant parent who knows all to well what it’s like to have a child that has special health care needs. Defalco had her second child, Kayah in March 2009. About a month after she was born, Kayah was diagnosed with Down syn- drome. “It’s a lonely place when you first find out,” said Defalco. Defalco soon made con- nections with another mother who had previously gone through the same situ- ation. “Having a parent tell you everything is going to be OK and you’re going to live through it is impor- tant,” said Defalco. Defalco is now the southern Oklahoma region- al coordinator for the Oklahoma Family Network (OFN), which is a statewide, non-profit DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT: MATT SWEARENGIN agency that supports Oklahoma families with THE BRYAN COUNTY Relay for Life was held Friday evening through Saturday morning at the Southeastern Paul Laird Field to critically ill infants or chil- raise funds for cancer research and victims. A ceremony was held in honor or memory of those who have been stricken with cancer. dren with special health Shown above and below are some of the cancer survivors who participated in the walk. Shown on the bottom, right, are bags that care needs or disabilities. were placed around the field in honor or memory of cancer victims. “A lot of people don’t even know we exist,” said Defalco. The OFN’s family-to- family health care informa- tion resource center pro- gram provides healthcare information and education, empowering families of children with special health care needs, to care for their children in order to develop good long-term outcomes. “We have every resource that a person would need,” said Defalco. OFN provides services such as support groups, training and emotional and financial resources. The OFN also offers a parent-to-parent mentor- ship program that matches up referred families with Brady retires, trained families to provide support and advice. When parents have chil- honored for 17 dren that receive a diagno- sis of a critical need or spe- years of service cial health care need, it can be a shocking experience. DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT: CANDICE BUDGICK Parents may have never COUNTY COMMISSIONERS even known anyone with a Monty Montgomery (left) Ivan similar diagnosis and need help finding a path to fol- Kelly (right center) and Tony low. Simmons (right) congratulate The parent-to-parent Bryan County Clerk Pat Brady on mentorship program her retirement on Friday at the matches parents with other Courthouse. Sen. Jay Paul Gumm parents who can help guide also congratulated Brady on her them and put fears at ease. retirement after serving the people of the county for 17 years, seven See OFN, page 2A as clerk. DAILY BIBLE VERSE LOOKING AHEAD INSIDE TODAY’S DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT “And without faith it is impossible to Farewell to Yuba event set for Saturday OBITUARIES .............................................. 2A please God, because anyone who BUSINESS .................................................. 3A All former and current administrators, teachers, workers and students are invited to bring their favorite fin- OPINION .................................................... 4A comes to him must believe that he ger foods and drinks to the Farewell to Yuba School event from 1–6 p.m. Saturday, May 8. Everyone is also AGRICULTURE ............................................ 5A exists and that he rewards those who asked to bring favorite memories, pictures and yearbook. LIFESTYLES ........................................ 1-2, 4B earnestly seek him.” COMICS .................................................... 3B SPORTS .......................................... 1-4, 7-8C - Hebrews 11:6 CLASSIFIED ............................................ 5-6C 2A THE DURANT DAILY DEMOCRAT Obituaries SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010 Olen E. Chaffin Dr. Joe Willis Clay Pat Green Olen E. Chaffin was born December 22, 1933, Joe Willis Clay was born on November 29, Pat Green was born May 5, 1934, in Caney, in Sardis, Oklahoma, to Thomas Lee Chaffin and 1928, to Boyce and Clara Oklahoma to Charley Smith and Eula Mae (James) Chaffin. He passed from this life Crawford in Downsville, Clarissa (Banta) Smith. She on Thursday, April 29, 2010 in Durant, Oklahoma. Louisiana. He passed from passed from this life Olen married Bonnie K. Tucker on June 27, this life on April 29, 2010 in Thursday, April 29, 2010, in 1952, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He worked Sherman, Texas. Caddo, Oklahoma. for many years as an auto mechanic until he retired Orphaned at age 7, he Pat married Charles as owner and operator of Chaffin Auto Service. was adopted by his uncle Douglas “Doug” Green on He is survived by: Spouse: Bonnie Chaffin of and aunt, Dr. J.A. and May 21, 1951, in Atoka, the home; Daughters: Charlotte Pate and husband Beatrice Clay and moved Oklahoma. He preceeded Victor of Durant, Oklahoma; Sherri Owens and to Durant. Graduating from her in death on June 4, 2002. husband Kenny of Madill, Oklahoma; Sons: Durant High School in 1946, She was a retired seamstress Danny Chaffin and wife Johnna of Madill, he was named DHS and hair dresser. Her favorite Oklahoma; Steve Chaffin and wife Jan of Caddo, Outstanding Athlete his senior year hobby was sewing and making Oklahoma; Brother: Paul Chaffin and wife as well as being a member of the National Honor quilts. Pat gave away serveral quilts she had made. Charlotte of Madill, Oklahoma; Sisters: Tommy Society. After pursuing undergraduate studies at She also left some behind for her family to cherish. Crownover and husband Tillman of Grenada, Southeastern Oklahoma State University and She loved her Church of Christ Family. California; Norma Jean Rooney and husband Jim Oklahoma State University, he was awarded his She is survived by: Daughter: Janice Green of of Seattle, Washington; Brother-In-Law: Bud Doctorate in Optometry from the Southern College Caddo, Oklahoma; Sons: Reggie Green and wife Wade of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Grandsons: of Optometry in Memphis in 1950. In 1951, he Marty of Caddo, Oklahoma; Dennis Green and Shawn Pate and wife Lisa of Gainesville, Texas; joined his father as part of the third generation in wife Donna of Caddo, Oklahoma; Grandsons: Jeromy Chaffin and wife Regina of Madill, the longest continuing family eye care practice in Christopher Green and wife Melva of Caddo, Oklahoma; Brian Deaver of Jay, Oklahoma; the country. Oklahoma; Shane Green of Caddo, Oklahoma; Michael Imgarten of Sacramento, California; Toby During his 56 years in active practice, Dr. Joe Bradly Green and wife Heather of Houston, Texas; Chaffin and wife Missy of Caddo, Oklahoma; served his profession as a member of the Board of Granddaughters: Samantha Perry and husband Kelby Owens and wife Laurie of Calera, Directors of the Oklahoma Association of Jeremy of Caddo, Oklahoma; Keisha Green of Oklahoma; Kevin Owens and wife Lindsay of Optometric Physicians (OAOP) and was recog- Durant, Oklahoma; Great Great Grandsons: Shade Colbert, Oklahoma; Granddaughters: Candy nized by the OAOP last month for 60 years of con- Green, Cole Green, Colby Green all of Caddo, Vaughn of Durant, Oklahoma; Brandi Pate of tinuous membership in the American Optometric Oklahoma; Sister: Charlene Crites of Oakland, Durant, Oklahoma; Summer Gammill and hus- Association. Although retired from active practice Oregon; Special Friend: Debbie Green of Durant, band Adam of Madill, Oklahoma; Chandra Bragg for the last four years, he remained an active part of Oklahoma; As well as many other relatives and and husband Randall of Caddo, Oklahoma 12 Clay-Rhynes Eye Clinic by consulting on a daily friends. Great Grandchildren and many other relatives and basis. Preceded in death: Parents: Clarissa and Charley friends. Dr. Joe served his community by serving as Smith Brothers: Hardin and Perry Smith Sisters: Preceded in death: Father: Lee Chaffin; Mother: President of the Bryan County Board of Health, Beatrice Austin, Opal Sadler, Dorothy Taylor.